Why the Cover Page Matters
A professional cover page does more than just state your name; it signals to your professor that you are disciplined and respect academic standards. In many cases, it's actually a graded component of your rubric.
Essential Elements of Every Cover Page
Regardless of the style (APA, MLA, or Chicago), every cover page should include:
- Full Title of the Assignment: Clear and descriptive.
- Your Full Name: As it appears on the university register.
- Student ID Number: Essential for grading systems.
- Course Name and Code: e.g., 'Introduction to Psychology (PSY101)'.
- Instructor's Name: Check the spelling of their title (Dr./Prof.).
- Due Date: Format it as Month Day, Year.
APA 7th Edition (Student Version)
APA 7th edition introduced a specific format for student papers that is different from professional manuscripts.
- Title: Bold, centered, in the upper half of the page.
- Page Number: Starts at '1' in the top-right header.
- No Running Head: Students are no longer required to include a running head unless specifically asked.
MLA 9th Edition Style
Interestingly, MLA style does not require a separate cover page unless your instructor asks for one. Instead, you place your name, instructor, course, and date in the top-left corner of the first page. However, for large projects, a dedicated cover page is always a more professional choice.
Designing Your Own
You don't need to be a graphic designer to create a clean layout. Avoid distracting borders or clip art. Use standard fonts like Times New Roman (12pt) or Arial (11pt). If you need a quick, perfectly formatted page, try our Assignment Cover Page Maker.
Final Check
Before you submit, double-check that your title matches the one in your Citation Generator and that your name is spelled correctly. First impressions are final!